On March 8th of every year, people around the world celebrate the women in their lives. We do not only do this through shopping at women-owned businesses and by raising funds or resources for organizations that support women, we also traditionally gift flowers for International Women's Day as a token of our appreciation, to celebrate women's achievements, and to show our continuous support.
10 Flowers to Gift on International Women’s Day
Gifting flowers on International Women's Day has become a norm. Over the years, women and men alike have continued to give the gift of flowers to show their appreciation for the women in their lives. Although mimosa flowers have a special meaning and a part in the history of the long-celebrated holiday, there are other remarkable blooms out there that make the International Women's Day celebration extraordinary and memorable.
Purple, green, and white are the colors that are inextricably linked to International Women's Day flowers. Purple signifies justice and dignity. Green symbolizes hope. White represents purity, albeit a controversial concept. These colors are used in different ways throughout the day; they are also used on images and graphics which are shared on social media throughout the day and some people may also choose to give flowers of these colors and even wear clothing of these shades to show their support for the cause. The colors originated from the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) in the UK in 1908. But let's get to what you've been waiting for: 10 flowers you can give your favorite women for International Women's Day 2024.
1. Mimosa Flower for International Women's Day
The mimosa flower is one of the most symbolic (if not the most symbolic) flowers to gift on International Women's Day. This tradition originated in Italy but has spread across the globe. It isn't exactly known why Mimosa became a representative flower for this day, but it is often speculated that it has something to do with the seasonality of Mimosa and their abundance during this time of the year. But other than that, it's a perfectly cheerful flower that refers to sunlight and summer but symbolizes respect, elegance, dignity, and kindness. You can learn more about mimosa in the article 'What is a Mimosa flower?'.
2. Roses as a Gift for Women's Day
Gifting roses is always a good idea, even for IWD. Roses generally carry the meaning of love and romance, but each color of roses typically has its own specific meaning, which you can read more about in our article Meanings of 8 Different Roses. Associated with royalty, enchantment, passion, and sophistication, gifting any colored roses is a great way to show your appreciation for the strong women in your life.
Photo: @alexandrafarms
3. Charming Tulips
Just as with mimosa, the tulip season also starts around this time of the year. But they are not only popular because of their availability. Tulips are wonderful spring flowers that are both colorful and elegant. This seasonal beauty looks fantastic in a bouquet and is a great option as one of the 10 flowers for International Women's Day. One could never go wrong with its just-the-right scent and wide range of color options.
4. Carnations for Celebrating 2024's IWD
Aside from roses, one of the most popular cut flowers for bouquets is the carnation. Carnations, also known as the 'divine flower' based on its Greek name 'Dianthus', offer an abundance of color options that generally symbolize friendship and respect.
White carnations are associated with purity and luck, and pink carnations are often given as a sign of gratitude. Red carnations, not surprisingly, are an expression of pure love. Carnations are immediately recognizable flowers, and they possess a charm that continues to captivate people around the globe, which makes them the perfect gift for International Women's Day.
5. Roselilies for Your Favorite Superwoman
Roselilies capture the essence of femininity, making them a glorious and wonderfully fragrant Women's Day flower. They most commonly mean devotion or purity, though meaning can vary by type of lily, culture, and color. But because of the Greek myth of Hera and Zeus, these flowers are often associated with love and rebirth.
6. Gerberas
Gerberas, or gerbera daisies, symbolize purity, innocence, and beauty. This sunny and proud flower will definitely brighten up any room. Gerberas are also known for representing adoration and are sometimes called 'the sunshine of life', hence why it's considered one of the top flowers to gift on such a special day like IWD.
Photo: @gerbera.united
7. Peonies
The fragile peony is a fixture in contemporary and classic bouquets. It’s easy to see why – this plant has a fragile, unassuming beauty that lets it steal the show without being overbearing. Peonies have a plethora of meanings. Not only can it symbolize prosperity, good fortune, and happiness, but it can also be used to represent honor and compassion. It is the perfect flower to gift when you want to celebrate someone's else success and let that be exactly why we celebrate International Women's Day.
Photo: @mypeonysociety
8. Hydrangeas to Demonstrate Your Love for Women
These flowers are extremely versatile and always add to the beauty of other flowers, providing strength and support to the more delicate ones. Hydrangeas are an ideal gift to express your gratitude to a woman who is always willing to help, encourage others, and make things work.
9. White, Yellow or Purple Orchids
Orchids are prized for their distinctive perianth and are regarded as one of the most resilient flowering plants. Orchids symbolize exotic beauty, refinement, and glorious femininity. Keeping this in mind, these plants express admiration for a woman's elegance and virtuosity. If you're looking to gift an orchid to your favorite woman, make sure you choose between yellow, white, or purple cymbidium orchids which are symbolic colors for this celebration.
10. Alstroemerias to Celebrate Women Worldwide
In the language of flowers, alstroemeria symbolizes friendship, devotion, and mutual support. International Women's Day is not only a time to honor the achievements and contributions of women but also an opportunity to express gratitude for the friendships, alliances, and solidarity that enrich our lives. Presenting alstroemeria flowers is a gesture of friendship and support, reaffirming our commitment to standing together in solidarity with women worldwide.
Alstroemeria flowers also symbolize personal growth, empowerment, and new beginnings. Their ability to bloom abundantly and thrive in various conditions serves as a powerful metaphor for the potential for growth and transformation inherent in every woman. By celebrating International Women's Day with alstroemeria flowers, we honor the journey of empowerment, self-discovery, and fulfillment that women embark on as they strive to realize their dreams and aspirations.
A Little History Behind International Women's Day
International Women's Day (IWD) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. Significant activity is witnessed worldwide as groups come together to celebrate women's achievements or rally for women's equality.
Women's Day has been observed since the early 1900s - a time of great expansion and turbulence in the industrialized world that saw booming population growth and the rise of radical ideologies. This important day has an extensive and interesting history but really took off in 1908 when 15,000 women marched through New York City demanding shorter hours, better pay, and voting rights.
Embrace Equity at International Women's Day 2024
The IWD 2024 campaign theme is Inspire Inclusion. When we inspire others to understand and value women's inclusion, we forge a better world. When women themselves are inspired to be included, there's a sense of belonging, relevance, and empowerment. The #InspireInclusion campaign aims to forge a more inclusive world for women.
In 2024, the campaign theme Inspire Inclusion emphasizes the importance of diversity and empowerment in all aspects of society. This year's campaign theme underscores the crucial role of inclusion in achieving gender equality. It calls for action to break down barriers, challenge stereotypes, and create environments where all women are valued and respected. It encourages everyone to recognize the unique perspectives and contributions of women from all walks of life, including those from marginalized communities.
Everyone everywhere can play a part in forging a #genderequal world!
